First impressions
I visited the retreat with a group of other luxury travel seekers and had an amazing time. Right from the start, I was struck by the hotel's upscale transfer cars. They featured purple lighting, sliding rear seats, adjustable headrests, refreshments, and multiple screens. After our comfortable ride, we approached the entrance of the retreat which resembled a maze. People immediately met us with beaming smiles, and I immediately knew I was entering a space of luxury.
The room
This retreat offers two distinct sections: Discovery and Serenity. Although I explored all the rooms, I stayed in a Grand Deluxe Room on the Serenity side. The XXL TV screen displays a personalised welcome message for each guest, and you can use it to book treatments and view schedules as well as watch TV.
My room featured white upholstery, a spacious king-size bed, and two seating areas. The swim-up terrace was incredibly roomy, equipped with a sofa area, two loungers, a table, a plunge pool, and ample space for relaxation and yoga. The attached bathroom was expansive, with all the necessities, and one of the shower doors opened onto the terrace, offering convenient access from the pool to the shower. Daily amenities included a mix of fruit and nuts, bottled water, a robe, pyjamas, a yoga mat, and a beach bag. They also provided a complimentary laundry service for three sportswear items. The room exuded sophistication and practicality.
Wellness consultation
My wellness advisor was polite, welcoming and made me feel comfortable talking about anything. She didn’t shy away from going into detail about my bowel movements, weight or anything else she thought was important.With each subject she covered, she offered immediate advice on the things I could do now or at home that would benefit me, before moving on to the treatment she thought would best help me on my journey. If she suggested something that was already part of my routine at home, she swapped it for a new practice or treatment. She took detailed notes and used my schedule to ensure I received two treatments a day. She was extremely flexible; I could say yes or no to anything I wanted. The service was outstanding.
The food
There’s so much to say about the food it’s honestly easier to call us! Every restaurant at this retreat offers gluten-free, refined sugar-free, fine dining meals.
Al-Sidr Restaurant, where we had breakfast each morning, offered a menu of healthy waffles, pancakes or egg dishes along with a small buffet of pastries, breads, spreads, yoghurts and more. I’m a fan of porridge with spices for breakfast and although it didn’t look like it was on offer, they managed to make it for me. Knowing that I liked it and that it’s healthy, the waiter agreed with the chef to serve it to me every morning with coconut sugar and cinnamon. Divine!
Malbu is their fresh fish and meat restaurant, considered their beach club, but only because it’s the closest to the beach. The most amazing pieces of fish and meat are laid on ice for you to see, and if you want to have a private barbecue this is where all the yummy food for the grill will come from.
Each dish at the ACACIA restaurant is delicately created to the highest of standards. They use ingredients from the gardens, which are carefully looked after by Bibi, the TAIM doctor (more on that later). They even use the bark of the Sidr Tree, the national tree of Qatar to create charcoal (known to have high nutritional value).
The plates in ACACIA were so beautiful I asked where they were from, and found out they were specifically designed for the restaurant in France. Your meals will be long and slow to encourage proper digestion but plentiful and balanced. On top of all of that, Jade, the server, was funny, knowledgeable and attentive. All of the waiting staff were out-of-this-world kind.
Activities and programme
Although I had lots booked in I still found a few hours to listen to a podcast, sunbathe, swim or take a walk. The resort is big, but you can grab a golf buggy from anywhere to take you to your appointment if, like me, you fall asleep in the sun making you run late! And you’ll still be welcomed with the biggest smiles.
I really enjoyed the Tai Chi. So much so, I did it twice. Once in the studio and again in the evening over the sea on the dock. I wasn’t able to participate in the cooking and mixology class but the sound bath was so relaxing I nodded off, and the pranayama left me feeling energised. There are a whole host of other activities to participate in (three types of yoga, stretching, origami, volleyball, meditation, badminton, and aqua boxing).
The treatments
The best treatment I received was the Energy Balancing Treatment. The energy healer had such an effect on me that I started shaking before going into a meditative state. He discovered scarily accurate blockages in my body, such as places I've had operations or trauma that nobody would have known. Truly magical.
For those who don’t know anything about TAIM (Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine), I highly suggest you book in to see Dr Bibi as one of your treatments. She used simple TAIM methodology to suggest ways in which I can rebalance my body’s physical and emotional health. I also had two rounds of LPG to smooth out cellulite, an abdominal massage, full body massage, hydro colon therapy and a facial.
Every single therapist personalised the treatment for me by asking a few questions before we started, and I felt comfortable with all of them except the hydro colon therapy balance — but is that meant to be relaxing? I can’t imagine so.
Who's it for?
This retreat is perfect for all solo travellers, male or female. I also think it would work great for two friends or mothers and daughters. It’s big and has so much to offer that you can go on your personal wellness journey and come back together for classes, activities and meals.
Those looking for advanced treatments would really benefit from the highly trained therapists here, and those who are strict with their food or need to get strict with their diet and drinking will find it works wonders. It would also suit those who are looking for emotional healing without talking therapy, or those who enjoy spiritual practices.
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